Kia adds Google Assistant to infotainment system

Kia is jumping on the Google Assistant train at CES this year. The automaker announced that the voice assistant will perform some vehicle functions on a handful of its 2018 models.

On Monday, the automaker presented its new UVO Agent for Google Assistant and Google Home-enabled devices. The UVO infotainment systems on the new Niro PHEV, Soul EV, Optima PHEV and K900 models are compatible with the agent. Kia says the agent is capable of remotely starting and stopping the vehicle’s ignition, locking and unlocking the car, and remotely activating the horn and lights through the Assistant or app.

Kia’s move comes on the heels of various companies teaming with Amazon’s Alexa assistant to perform similar functions. BMW, Ford, and Nissan all…